High Leverage Technologies for In-Space Assembly of Complex Structures

Abstract

In-space assembly (ISA), the ability to build structures in space, has the potential to enable or support a wide range of advanced mission capabilities. Many different individual assembly technologies would be needed in different combinations to serve many mission concepts. The many-to-many relationship between mission needs and technologies makes it difficult to determine exactly which specific technologies should receive priority for development and demonstration. Furthermore, because enabling technologies are still immature, no realistic, near-term design reference mission has been described that would form the basis for flowing down requirements for such development and demonstration. This broad applicability without a single, well-articulated mission makes it difficult to advance the technology all the way to flight readiness. This paper reports on a study that prioritized individual technologies across a broad field of possible missions to determine priority for future technology investment.

Space Science and Technology Partnership Forum: Analysis for a Joint Demonstration of High Priority, In-Space Assembly Technology

“…The methodology to analyze the usefulness of the platform adapted the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) techniques previously used for a complicated assessment of in-space assembly needs [3]. The generic methodology deploys the qualities to be accommodated, called the WHATS, against the alternative means of accommodating them, called the HOWS.…”

In-space Assembly Capability Assessment for Potential Human Exploration and Science Applications

“…These decompositions were informed by several recent and historical ISA-related papers and studies. [7][8][9][10][11] The results of these evaluations contributed to development of a common nomenclature and a framework of assembly strategies, tasks, and capabilities that can be applied to meet the exploration challenges.…”